RoseBreast Cockatoo
Rosebreast Cockatoo:
The Rosebreasted Cockatoo, cacatua
roseicapillus, also know as Galah Cockatoo is about 35 cm (14
inches) when adults and will achieve 90% of this by the time they are 4
months of age. Unique among the Cockatoo this little cockatoo has deep
pink and Grey colors. The top of their head, from the forehead to the
nape, is pink tingled white. The rump is whitish Grey, the lower
abdomen and under tail converts are Grey, the tail being of a darker
shade. The Rosie's will react to being startled by quickly rising its'
little crest. When crest is closed it is not visible, but when raised
it is formed by all the feathers of the forepart of the top of the
head. The iris is usually dark brown in the mail (almost black in some
very mature birds) and deep red or reddish brown in females. This
variation in eye color will begin to occur after they reach a year of
age. The bill is horn-colored and the legs are Grey. Immature birds
will be duller than adults and crown and the breasts will be washed
with Grey.
Habitat:
The ROSEBREASTED
are extremely common in their native habitat or Australia. Found mainly
in arid regions and actually spreading rapidly into a bit cooler
regions in they're native lands. Although considered a pest in
Australia they are very expensive and greatly sought after in the
United States.
Noise:
The Rosebreasts are
a bit quieter than most of it's Cockatoo cousins. Like all other
Cockatoos they can also learn to get your attention by being vocal. As
far as their talking ability, they seem to be a better talker than most
of the Cockatoos, perhaps equal in talking ability to the Goffin.
Social
Habits:
The Rosie's make
very good little pets. They are quiet the little clown as well, with
silly little personalities. As with most Cockatoos, they are extremely
intelligent many times figuring out how to escape from their cages.
They are fairly good with children although frequently go through a
major chewing stage as they begin weaning. Thus chewing on little
fingers (and big ones as well). As with most Cockatoos if they are
spoiled they will crave constant attention and can become over
demanding if you let them. They can be destructive with wood items
about the home, so be sure to provide them with lots of toys,
especially wood toys to chew on in their cage. Whether you have a male
or female you will still have a very sweet loving bird. I
found that they are more of a ground feeder type of bird.
This means that they will spend some time on the very bottom
of their cage, forging for food and such. You will want to be
careful that you keep your cage bottom very clean because of this.
You might not want to put a grate in the bottom of your cage
so that they can forage and play.
Cages:
Moluccan Cockatoo
Moluccan Cockatoo:
The Moluccan Cockatoo,
cacatua moluccensis, is abut 50 cm (20 inches) when adult size. They
are also commonly known as Salmon Crested Cockatoos. The Cockatoo is
the most magnificent of the white cockatoos and most impressive of all
is the bright, peach feathers of the crest. When alarmed, the Moluccan
will react by quickly rising and lowering the crest (sometimes hissing
or screaming at the same time). Its plumage will have varying degrees
of salmon-pink throughout all of its feathering and again have the deep
rich salmon crest. The under sides of the flight feathers is washed
with deep salmon at the base and the tail are pale orange on the
underside. The area of bare skin surrounding the eye is what, tinged
with blue. Their iris is very deep black as a baby, but after the
female turns a year old her eyes will slowly turn a reddish color. But
on Moluccan's this is sometimes very difficult to determine. The bill
is black and the legs are gray. Immature birds will look the same
except babies will have a dark gray iris at first.
Habitat:
The Moluccan
inhabits the Indonesian island of Cream, Saparua and Haruku in the
South Moluccas, and has been introduced to Amboina.
Noise:
They can become
extremely loud if they are tame and then neglected. They will use an
ear-splitting yell to protest. As far as their talking ability, they
can be a good talker although their talking ability is not their
greatest asset. Their wonderful nature is there best asset.
Social
Habits:
The Moluccan's have
a docile and affectionate nature and do make an outstanding pet. They
are extremely intelligent and very attentive to its owner. As with most
Cockatoos if they are spoiled they will crave constant attention and
can become over demanding. This is especially true if you spent a lot
of time with them and then later they are left to entertain themselves.
Their happiest moments are those spent in the arms of their people.
They are extremely intelligent many times figuring out how to escape
form their cage. They are very good with children and are for the most
part very predictable and evenly tempered. As wit most Cockatoos they
can be destructive with wood items about the home, so be sure to
provide them with lots to chew up, in their cage. Whether
you have a male of female you will still have a very sweet loving bird.
Cages: 
Moluccan's need a much large
cage because they love to dance and strut and huge wood toys are a
must. A 36" x 24" would be nice if you have the space and you can even
go larger. They might chew a lot on a cage, but a good
quality power-coated cage (not just any brand) would be excellent and
will out last a spray painted cage and be much easier to clean and keep
nice. Be sure the cage has heavy duty bars as they have one of the
toughest beaks of all the birds. Many of the cheap cages on
the market might be large, but will have weak bars. Suitable bar
spacing would be 3/4" to 1 1/2".
Diet
Information:
The best diet for
any parrot such as the Moluccan would be pellets, fresh fruits and
veggies. Cockatoo can be fussy eaters but are found of corn on the cob,
nuts, coconuts, berries and beans. Sometimes they will be shy of new
foods, but always be persistent- it will probably pay off and teach him
to eat a good varied diet. With a good pellet diet, additional vitamins
are not necessary except maybe spirulina. Spirulina will
enhance the color and the feathering on you Cockatoo, plus it is very
healthy. There are lots of bird packaged mixes on the market today
which will broadened a good veggie & fruit diet, while feeding
a great nutritional diet, and making it easy for you so that
you can give him great food daily. Seed should be fed only in small
portions by hand, maybe when doing training or "good -bird" offerings.
A must with any parrot is a water bottle system. This will provide
fresh, clean water to your bird at all times, even when you aren't home
for a couple of days.
Maturing:
They will usually
reach maturity between 3 and 5 years of age.
Breeding:
Be sure that you
have unrelated birds if you decide to breed. They can only be sexed
either by blood DNA sexing or surgically bay a qualified vet and also
when mature by the color of their eyes. A large nest box is needed and
they do love to chew wood so a ABS plastic nest box should be
considered. A T-box style breeding box is a must with these birds so
that if the male becomes aggressive he can't trap the female in the
box. Male Moluccan's can be extremely aggressive and have been
frequently known to kill their female mates, even after being with each
other for many many years. Many breeders will make sure that the males
wings are clipped and the female is flighted when breeding season
nears. If you are breeding these birds as pets, this may not be
possible, but watch the male that he doesn't become to aggressive
towards his female. A female will lay 2 eggs, although will usually
raise only one baby and quite commonly will not raise her own offspring
at all. It usually is a good idea to incubate and raise these babies
yourself (but only if you are experienced, and this also means feeding
around the clock for the first two weeks). Eggs are usually incubated
for 29 days.
Rosie's need a cage
approximately 24"x24". But larger is always better if you have the
room. A 36"x 24" would be nice if you have the space. They are
definitely floor (or ground) birds, so a cage that is wider rather than
tall would be a better choice. A good quality power-coated cage (not
just any brand) would be excellent and will out last a spray painted
cage. Suitable bar spacing would be 3/4" to 1".
Diet
Information:
The best diet for any parrot
such as the Rose-breast, would be pellets and lots of fresh fruits and
vegetables. Cockatoos can be fussy eaters, and these little
guys are especially prone to having fatty tissue problems. They are the
one bird that you should NEVER give seed to, especially Sunflower
seeds. They are quite fond of corn on the cob, pasta, and beans. They
will also relish sprouted seeds (but only in small amounts because of
fatty tissue problem). A good pellet diet is a must with these little joys. Additional vitamins are
not necessary except maybe spirulina. Spirulina will enhance the color
and the feathering texture of your Cockatoo. and
it is very healthy. There are a lot of bird packaged cooking mixes on
the market today which will broadened a good vegetable and fruit diet.
A must with any parrot is a water bottle system. This will provide
fresh, clean water to your bird at all times, even when you aren't home
for a couple of days.
Maturing:
They will usually
reach maturity between 2 and 4 years of age.
Breeding:
Be sure that you
have unrelated birds if you decide to breed. These cockatoos do not
breed readily so great patience must be used if you want to give them a
try. They can only be sexed either by a blood DNA or sexing or
surgically by a qualified vet. The color of their eyes when fully
mature can also indicate sex. A large nest box is needed and they do
love to chew wood so an ABS plastic nest box should be considered.
Probably even a T-box so that if the male becomes aggressive he can't
trap the female in the box. Aggression in the Rosie's is quite
semi-common. It is always a good idea t keep the female flighted and
the male's wings clipped. A female will lay 2-4 eggs, and they will lay
from Feb-Apr. The best way (and sometimes the only way) to get them to
double clutch is to pull the eggs of the first clutch, although they
are usually good parents and good incubators. Eggs are usually
incubated for 28 days.
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